If you are concerned about fluctuations in the market, most 403bs, 401ks , and 457 plans offer a fixed option with a guaranteed rate of return. Pension plans have gotten into trouble because the managers of the funds have invested in higher risk options that did not perform have well as expected. They were chasing returns and gambling with other peoples money. Most receive bonuses based on performance. They are more concerned about their money than yours.,

She definitely shouldn't be as concerned as your average person she has a pension paid for by taxpayers with no contribution by her, a 401k is just a bonus for her, the rest us depend on it for our retirement.

In regular accounts, you can generally invest in whatever you want. You can buy any publicly traded stock, or you can withdraw the money and invest in your friend’s private company–a real consideration for entrepreneurs.

In a 401(k), you are limited to what your company offers.

open up your own ira or roth account with your money and not the taxpayers footing the bill

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"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Did You Know...About 90% of funds used to pay NYSTRS benefits come from investment returns and employee contributions?

show us the numbers

what is the earliest age that tier 1-5 retire at?what is percentage they contribute per year out of their salary?how many years do they have to contribute?do they receive 60% of their final salary for their pension?

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"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

.... the managers of the funds have invested in higher risk options that did not perform have well as expected. They were chasing returns and gambling with other peoples money. Most receive bonuses based on performance. They are more concerned about their money than yours.,

Did You Know...About 90% of funds used to pay NYSTRS benefits come from investment returns and employee contributions?

NYS's pension system is indeed one of the strongest and most profitable in the country, if not the best.

not for the taxpayers as they pay for 95% of the benefits for the state employees

Your assertion that the taxpayers are being drained by contributions to pensions is misinformed at best. On average, the state contri's run at 3%, with NYS being 2.9%. The implementation of 2 new tiers further alleviates that cost.

Did You Know...About 90% of funds used to pay NYSTRS benefits come from investment returns and employee contributions?

show us the numbers

what is the earliest age that tier 1-5 retire at?what is percentage they contribute per year out of their salary?how many years do they have to contribute?do they receive 60% of their final salary for their pension?

The age is roughly 63-65 not 55. Unless you are a Correctional officer then it is 25 years of service. Or a trooper which is 20 years of service.

The percentage is 3-6 percent dependeing on salary. the more you make the more you give in. tiers 1-4 contribute until the employee is vested at 10 years. tiers 5 and 6 are vested after 10 years bu must contibute for the duration of employment.

percentage of final salary varies on what tier and union they are in. most get 50%-60%. Tier 1 may get more but tier 1 employees are few and far in-between.

Employees and retirees do not get free healthcare. it is taken out of there check. retirees may use unused sick time accrued over many years to pay for a portion of it.

90% of investment returns means that the other 10 percent is paid for largly by current employee contributions. Impact to taxpayers is minimal.

misinformation.

Edited by Hicks McFarmer (06/04/1206:28 PM)

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"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country".George W.Bush